20 Years of Women's Priestly Ministry

The Diocese of Oxford marked 20 years of women's priestly ministry with a celebratory Eucharist at Christ Church and a panel discussion at St Mary the Virgin. Archdeacon Karen Gorham presided at the service, the Revd Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Vicar of Dalstone and Haggerston, preached, and our special guest was the Rt Revd Pushpa Lalitha, the first female bishop in the Diocese of Nandyal, South India. Consort Iridiana were the choir and dancers from the Rambert School performed two pieces reflecting biblical images of women's ministry. In the afternoon, Canon Judith Maltby chaired discussion by the Bishop of Buckingham, the Revd Caroline Symcox, Christina Rees and Rose Hudson-Wilkin looking back at the last 20 years and forward to the future. An exhibition of photographs giving a flavour of the history of women's ordination in the Diocese, and sketches by artist Emma Self (who braved the downpour to capture the event from Christ Church Quad), drew the interest of attendees and tourists alike.

It was a wonderful day, celebrating women and men working together and 'sharing the journey.'